(Graphic courtesy/Melfort Mustangs)

By Ben Tompkins

Nearly perfect

Mustangs release three stars of the month after excellent December stretch

Dec 22, 2022 | 7:19 AM

The Melfort Mustangs went 5-1-0-1 in the month of December, largely due in part to amazing performances from all three levels of their team.

With hockey now done until the second weekend of the new year, at least for Melfort, they were able to release their three stars of December, a little earlier than usual this month.

Kevin Minnoch, 1st Star (7gp, 4G, 8A, 12pts)

It came as no real surprise as to who would claim this first star, as he had already earned two of a possible three weekly SJHL honours in the last 21 days.

Kevin Minnoch, the two-time defencemen of the week in the month of December, had a truly incredible stretch for a blueliner, racking up 12 points in just seven games.

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His four goals were the most among any defenceman in the league, his eight assists were the most by any defenceman in the SJHL in the month, and his 12 points ranked him tied for third in the league in December.

Along with his solid defensive play, the Sherwood Park, Ala., product, set his team up for massive success, and maybe even himself for the league’s defenceman of the month.

James Venne, 2nd Star (4gp, 4-0, 1.47 GAA, .948 sv%, 1 shutout)

Meanwhile, backup goaltender, James Venne, refused to lose, as he posted a perfect 4-0 record.

He paired that with only allowing six goals on 116 shots, good for a 1.47 goals-against-average and a .948 save percentage, along with one shutout.

The 18-year-old Saskatoon product now currently ranks fourth in the league in GAA and fifth in SV%.

Dawson Leroux, 3rd Star (7gp, 5G, 5A, 10pts)

And finally, it’s the third time Dawson Leroux has been a star of the month (Nov. and Sep.) after he recorded at least a point in six out of seven games.

Tied for the second most points on the team in December, he scored five times, including four goals in a three-game stretch, while also earning five helpers.

The assistant captain is now currently second on the team in scoring.

Next up

The Mustangs aren’t back in action until Jan. 6, when they host the Nipawin Hawks in a home-and-home rivalry weekend to open up the new year.

Melfort will look to continue their hot play, as they’ve registered at least a point in 12 of their last 13 contests, hoping to build off their average of 5.3 goals per game, this past month.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8